Hosting a Spooktacular Halloween at Home

By Nicole Spain, Registered Dietitian

Hosting Halloween at home this year? We know the holiday may look a little different this year for many families, but that doesn’t mean a “ghoulishly” good time won’t be had!  Try making this spooky three-course dinner for your little witches and warlocks! We’ve also included some mummified bedtime book suggestions for you to read as you “wrap up” your evening.  

Halloween SPOOKTACULAR Menu:

Mummy Garlic Toast

Eyeball Pasta

Candy Corn Parfait

Mummy Garlic Toast
Serves 8

Ingredients

• 8 medium garlic cloves (skins on)
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp salt
• Black pepper
• 2 small baguettes
• 6 string cheeses
• 16 black olive slices

Directions

1. Adjust oven rack to third lowest position and heat to 500 degrees F.
2. Toast garlic cloves in a small skillet over medium heat, shaking pan occasionally, until fragrant and color of cloves deepens, about 8 minutes.
3. When they are cool enough to touch, skin and mince the cloves, or press them through a garlic press. Using a dinner fork, mash garlic with butter, parmesan cheese, salt, and a pinch of pepper in a bowl until combined.
4. Cut each of the small baguettes in half lengthwise and then again in half crosswise so you have eight halves. Spread the cut side of each with the prepared garlic butter.
5. Thinly peel apart the string cheese. Place two pieces of black olives on each half of baguette for eyes. Then place the pieces of string cheese in layers on top of the bread halves to look like mummies.
6. Transfer the halves, butter and cheese side up, onto a baking sheet. Bake at 500 degrees for 6-8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and just beginning to brown.
7. Serve immediately.

Recipe adapted from: https://www.foodtasticmom.com/mummified-garlic-bread/

Eyeball Pasta
Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ medium onion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 lb spinach spaghetti or fettuccini noodles
• 1 ½ cup marinara sauce, warmed
• Fresh mozzarella, cut into rounds
• Black olives, sliced crosswise into rounds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, add beef, onion, panko, garlic, parsley, and egg.Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix ingredients together with a rubber spatula or your hands until well combined.Then shape into 1” balls and place on parchment paper.
3. Bake meatballs for 13 minutes.Then add to each meatball a piece of cheese and olive to create “eyeballs”.Bake until cheese is melty, 2 minutes more.
4. Meanwhile in a large pot of water, cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a platter.
5. Pour warm marinara sauce over noodles and top with the meatball “eyeballs”.

Recipe adapted from: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a23712888/eyeball-pasta-halloween-dinner-recipe/

Candy Corn Parfait
Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 can pineapple tidbits, drained
• Whipped cream
• Candy corn pieces

Directions:

1. In a clear plastic cup, layer pineapple, then mandarin oranges, and top with whipped cream and add a couple of pieces of candy corn pieces.
2. Serve right away.

Recipe adapted from https://www.familyfreshmeals.com/2013/09/healthy-halloween-snack-candy-corn-fruit-cocktail.html

Halloween Book Recommendations

Age/Grade Level:

Infant-Toddlers – One, Two…Boo! By Kristen L. Depken
 

Preschool-Kindergarten – The Littlest Mummy by Brandi Dougherty

Kindergarten – 3^rd Grade – There was an Old Mummy Who Swallowed a Spider by Jennifer Ward

2^nd Grade – 5^th  Grade – The Mummy with No Name by Geronimo Stilton